Electronic clinical thermometer

ABSTRACT

An electronic clinical thermometer has a probe including a temperature sensor and a heat flux sensor which are controlled to make measurements at specified time intervals. The measured values are used in solving the equation of heat conduction to estimate the temperature of an internal body position. A heater may be included to preheat a body part in order to reduce the time required for measurement. The probe may use two temperature sensors to measure temperatures at two body surface positions through insulating members which are different in thermal conductivity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an electronic thermometer for estimating thetemperature at an inner position of a live body based on temperaturedata taken on the body surface. More particularly, the invention relatesto such an electronic thermometer using an equation of thermalconduction for making such an estimate.

When a conventional clinical thermometer such as a mercury thermometeris used to measure the temperature of a body by having it held under anarm or the tongue, the thermometer must be kept in that position until athermal equilibrium is reached between the internal body position ofinterest and the surface temperature.

Japanese Patent Publication Tokko Hei 7-119656 B2 disclosed a method ofusing an equation for estimating the change in temperature whilereaching an equilibrium and regarding such an equilibrium temperature asthe body temperature.

It is desirable, however, to measure the internal body temperature of apatient directly. International Patent Publication WO-9850766 disclosedan electronic thermometer based on the method published in “Engineeringof Heat Conduction” (at page 90) by Masahiro Shoji (published by TokyoUniversity). According to this method, temperatures are measured at twodifferent positions and the temperature at a third position outside theregion of the two positions is estimated. What is desired, however, isan electronic thermometer for measuring not a surface temperature but aninner temperature.

If the measurement cannot be taken until a thermal equilibrium isreached between the surface and inner temperatures, it takes as long as10 minutes until the measurement can be taken. This wait time can bereduced by a method of estimating the inner temperature from the mannerin which temperature changes to reach the equilibrium, but it stilltakes about 90 seconds. This method cannot fully take into accountindividual variations among patients or environmental changes.

As for the method according to International Patent PublicationWO-9850766, the solution is unstable because the equation to be solvedis non-linear and an accurate solution cannot be obtained without thehelp of a high-power computer, and a long computer time will be wasted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electronicclinical thermometer capable of accurately and quickly estimate theinternal body temperature of a live body by measuring real-time externaltemperature values directly and calculating the temperature at thedesired internal body position by solving an equation of thermalconduction and using the results of such measurements.

In view of the above and other objects of this invention, thetemperature on an external surface of a live body is measured directlyon real time according to this invention and the body temperature at anormally inaccessible internal position of the body is estimated on thebasis of values thus obtained. For this purpose, an equation of thermalconduction is used in reverse, Such an equation is solved as alower-order equation such as a first-order differential equationincluding measurable physical quantities such as the body surfacetemperature and the thermal flux as variables. The desired internaltemperature is then estimated by directly measuring these physicalquantities. If as many different measured quantities are obtained asthere are variables, the internal temperature can be obtained accuratelyand quickly by solving simultaneous first-order equations.

An electronic clinical thermometer embodying this invention may becharacterized as comprising a temperature sensor for measuringtemperature, a heat flow sensor disposed proximally to the temperaturesensor for measuring heat flow at nearly the same position (so as to besubstantially under the same thermal condition) where the temperaturesensor measures temperature, a controller for controlling thetemperature sensor and the heat flux sensor to make measurements withthem at a specified time interval, a memory for storing values measuredby the temperature sensor and the heat flow sensor, and a calculator forcalculating estimated temperature at a specified internal body positionfrom the measured values of temperature and heat flow.

In order to solve the equation of thermal conduction in reverse toestimate the temperature at a specified internal body position, variousphysical quantities may be selected for measurement. According to thisinvention, temperature and heat flux at approximate the same places areselected as the physical quantities for this purpose. By measuring thesephysical quantities for a plurality of times at a specified interval, orspecified intervals, different sets of measured quantities can beobtained, and these obtained quantities can be used to solve theequation of thermal condition and estimate the target temperature at thespecified internal position of a body. In the above, the heat fluxsensor is a device for measuring the quantity of heat which flowsthrough a unit area per unit time and includes devices that calculatethe heat flux from other physical quantities.

It is advantageous to place the temperature and heat flux sensorsproximally to each other such that the thermometer can be made compact.If the sensor part including these sensors can be made compact, its heatcapacity is reduced, and since quicker changes in temperature can begenerated, the time required for the measurement can be reduced.

It is also preferable to dispose the temperature and heat flux sensorson a thermally insulating member because the effects of heat movementnot from the body being measured can thus be eliminated or at leastreduced such that the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved.

In some embodiments of the invention, a heater is provided in thethermometer. If the temperature difference is great between the targetbody for measurement and the environmental temperature, for example, thetemperature of the part of the body through which heat travels from theinternal target position to the sensors may be heated by the heater suchthat measurements can be taken with the temperature differences insidethe body reduced. In this manner, the temperature changes inside thebody become stabilized and more accurate measurements become possible.The time required for the measurement can also be reduced. If athermally insulating member is introduced between the heater and thesensors, a stable heat gradient can be formed between the heater and thesensors such that the temperature and heat flux sensors are placed in amore suitable temperature condition for the measurement and hence thatmore accurate measurements are possible.

Another thermometer embodying this invention may be characterized ashaving two (first and second) temperature sensors each for measuringtemperature, a first thermally insulating member disposed between thefirst temperature sensor and a target body to be measured, a secondthermally insulating member having a different thermal conductivity andbeing disposed between the second temperature sensor and the targetbody, a controller for controlling these temperature sensors to makemeasurements at specified time intervals, a memory for storing firstmeasured values obtained by the first temperature sensor and secondmeasured values obtained by the second temperature sensor, and acalculator for calculating estimated temperature at a specified internalbody position from the first and second measured values. In thisembodiment, the physical quantities to be measured are temperatures attwo different points contacting thermally insulating members havingdifferent thermal conductivity values. If these physical quantities aremeasured at specified intervals and different sets of measured valuesare obtained, they can be used to solve the equations for thermalconduction and to calculate the temperature of an internal targetposition inside the body. Other physical quantities such as coefficientof thermal conduction and specific heat may be measured. Two insulatingmembers with same conductivity may be used if, for example, they aredifferent in thickness. In a thermometer according to this embodiment ofthe invention, too, it may be advantageous to include a heater forreasons described above.

Still another electronic clinical thermometer embodying this inventionmay be characterized as comprising a constant-temperature heater to bekept at a specified temperature, a temperature sensor for measuringtemperature, a controller for controlling the temperature sensor and theconstant-temperature heater to make measurements at specified timeintervals, a memory for storing the specified temperature and measuredvalues obtained by the temperature sensor, and a calculator forcalculating estimated temperature at a specified internal body positionfrom the specified temperature and the measured values. Theconstant-temperature heater in this case is used to prepare a body partwhich is heated thereby and stays at this specified temperature. It ispossible to thus solve the equation of heat conduction by measuring thetemperature at another body position.

In all these thermometers according to different embodiments of thisinvention, a probe may be formed for making contact to a body part in aplanar shape or in an elongated shape of a bar such that even an infantcan easily keep it in position in a stable manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a patient's body forexplaining the principle of heat conduction.

FIG. 2 is an external plan view of an electronic thermometer embodyingthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the thermometer of FIG. 2 taken along line3-3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing the circuit structure of thethermometer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process of taking a measurement by athermometer according to a first embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are examples of displays on the display device.

FIG. 7 is a portion of the flowchart of FIG. 5 shown more in detail.

FIG. 8A is a side view and FIG. 8B is a bottom view of anotherelectronic thermometer embodying this invention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the probe taken along line 9A-9A of FIG.8B and FIG. 9B is a plan view of the insulating member in the probeshown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the process of taking a measurement by athermometer according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of a patient's body forexplaining the principle of body temperature measurement by athermometer according to a third embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is an external plan view of an electronic thermometer accordingto a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the thermometer of FIG. 12 taken alongline 13-13.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for showing the circuit structure of thethermometer of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the process of taking a measurement by athermometer according to a third embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a portion of the flowchart of FIG. 15 shown more in detail.

FIG. 17A is a side view and FIG. 17B is a bottom view of anotherthermometer according to the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18A is a sectional view taken along line 18A-18A of FIG. 17B, andFIG. 18B is a bottom view of the insulating layers of the thermometer ofFIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the process of taking a measurement by athermometer according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a portion of a patient's body forexplaining the principle of body temperature measurement by athermometer according to a fifth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 21 is an external plan view of an electronic thermometer accordingto the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the thermometer of FIG. 21 taken alongline 22-22 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram for showing the circuit structure of thethermometer of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the process of taking a measurement by athermometer according to the fifth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 25 is a portion of the flowchart of FIG. 24 shown more in detail.

FIG. 26A is a side view and FIG. 26B is a bottom view of a thermometeraccording to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27A is a sectional view taken along line 27A-27A of FIG. 26B, andFIG. 27B is a bottom view of the insulating layers of the thermometer ofFIG. 27A.

Throughout herein some of like components are indicated by the samenumerals although they may be components of different thermometers andmay not be described repetitiously for the sake of simplicity ofdescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described next by way of examples. FIG. 1 shows T_(b)as the temperature at an internal position of a patient to be estimatedand T₁ as the temperature at an externally exposed body surfaceposition, separated from the target position by a distance of h. Theheat conductivity of the body is expressed as λ. If the flux of heatflow at the surface position is q₁, it may be expressed as follows:q ₁=−λ(dT ₁ /dx)=−λ(T ₁ −T _(b))/hwhere x represents the direction of the line connecting the internaltarget body position and the surface position where the surface bodytemperature and the heat flux are measured. (In FIG. 1, q_(b) indicatesthe heat flux at the internal body position.) From the above, oneobtains:T _(b) =T ₁+(h/λ)q ₁  (1)and this means that if two or more sets of values for T₁ and q₁ aremeasured, the value of T_(b) can be estimated

The basic differential equation for heat conduction (or the heattransfer equation) may be written as follows:∂T ₁ /∂t=α(∂ ² T ₁ /∂x ²)where α is the thermal diffusivity. If the second-order term is includedin its solution, this gives:T _(b) =T ₁+(h/λ)q ₁+(h ²/2α)(dT ₁ /dt)  (2)since q₁=−λ(dT₁/dx). This means that if three or more sets of values forT₁, q₁ and dT₁/dt are measured, the value of T_(b) can be estimated.

If the equation is of zeroth-order, the temperature at an internal bodyposition can be estimated by a minimum of one measurement because thereis no need to take in account any change with time. By makingmeasurement for a plurality of times, accurate results can be obtainedeven by using a zeroth-order equation. If a higher-order equation isused, even more accurate estimates become possible.

In the above, the surface temperature T₁ on the patient's body can bemeasured by means of a temperature sensor, and the heat flux can bemeasured by means of a heat flux sensor. Examples of a practicallyusable temperature sensor include IC temperature sensors usingtemperature characteristics such as platinum resistors, thermistors,thermocouples and transistors. Examples of a heat flux sensor includelayered structures and thermopiles.

FIG. 2 shows an electronic thermometer 1 according to a first embodimentof the invention comprising a main body 2 which is approximately in theshape of a rectangular parallelopiped and a probe 3 which protrudeslongitudinally in the shape of a bar from the main body 2 such that theuser may hold the main body 2 to insert the probe under an arm or underthe tongue. The main body 2 contains a display device 4 such as an LCDfor displaying data such as a measured value and a power switch 5. Theprobe 3 is approximately circular in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 3,and its outer surface is covered with a thin material 6 such as SUShaving a high thermal conductivity. On the inner surface of this covermaterial 6, a temperature sensor 7 and a heat flux sensor 8 are disposedproximally to each other. The entire inner surface of this covermaterial 6 is covered with a layer of a thermally insulating member 9. Aheater 10 is disposed on the inner surface of this insulating layer 9according to a second embodiment of the invention. The aforementionedfirst embodiment of the invention assumes the absence of this heater 10.

The temperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 are preferablydisposed as closely as possible to each other so as to be at the sametemperature. If they are insulated from each other, they may be disposedin contact with each other. The insulating layer 9 is hollow,surrounding an empty space 90 inside. Lead lines (now shown) from thetemperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 may be passedtherethrough to the main body 2. The insulating layer 9 may be providedin the form of a film such that lead lines can be extended to the mainbody 2 along the baseboard for the film. A thin membrane of a resinmaterial such as acryl, nylon, polyimides, polyesters and polyethylenemay be used as the insulating member 9. The probe 3 can be made compactif the temperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 can be disposedclose to each other. If the temperature sensor 7 and the heat fluxsensor 8 are disposed close to each other, furthermore, the overallvolume of the probe 3 and its thermal capacity can be reduced such thatthis has the favorable effect of speeding up the response to atemperature change and hence of reducing the time required to completethe measurement. Moreover, the freedom of design choice is alsoimproved. Since the temperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 aredisposed on an insulating layer 9, effects on temperature and heat fluxdue to heat from the target body can be reduced or eliminated, and thesignal-to-noise ratio of the sensor can be improved for higher precisionmeasurements.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic thermometer 1 comprises a controller12, a driver 13, an A/D converter 14, a calculator 15, a memory 16, apower source 17 and a buzzer 18, in addition to the aforementionedtemperature sensor 7, heat flux sensor 8, the power source 5 and thedisplay device 4. The controller 12 comprises a CPU and serves tocontrol the thermometer as a whole. The driver 13 is for driving thetemperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 on the basis of signalsreceived from the controller 12. Signals outputted from the driver 13are converted into digital signals by the A/D converter 14 and inputtedto the calculator 15. The calculator 15 performs various calculationssuch as for estimating the temperature of an internal target bodyposition on the basis of the digital signals received from the A/Dconverter 14 and/or measured temperature and heat flux values stored inthe memory 16, and outputs the results of its calculations to thecontroller 12. In short, the calculator 15 serves to store specifieddata in the memory 16 and to retrieve data from the memory 16 to carryout specified calculations. The power source 17 may comprise a batteryand serves to supply electric power to the controller 12 and the driver13. The power switch 5 is for switching on and off the supply of powerfrom the power source 17. The buzzer 18 is for generating a specifiedsound in response to a command from the controller 12 to alert the userof a certain situation. According to an embodiment where the heater 10is provided, it is operated through the driver 13.

FIG. 5 is referenced next to explain the process for measuring aninternal body temperature. When the switch 5 is turned on (Step S101), apreliminary temperature measurement is taken by means of the temperaturesensor 7 (Step S102) to determine whether or not this preliminarilyobtained temperature is within a specified range (Step S103). If themeasured temperature is not within the specified range (NO in StepS103), a display is made to this effect on the display device 4 (StepS104) and the power is switched off (Step S105).

If the preliminarily measured temperature is within the specified range(YES in Step S103), a display is made to this effect on the displaydevice 4 (Step S106) such as shown in FIG. 6A and the buzzer 18 may alsobe beeped to inform that the thermometer is ready to be used. Next, thetemperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 are operated through thedriver 13 and values of T₁, q₁ and dT₁/dt are collected (Step S107).These data are now used by the calculator 15 to estimate the temperatureat an internal target position (Step S108).

Next, the program checks to determine whether or not a start flag (to beexplained below) is “1” or not (Step S109). If the start flag is “0” (NOin Step S109), it is checked whether or not a specified condition (to beexplained below) for starting the temperature measurement is satisfied(Step S110). If this condition is found to be satisfied (YES in StepS110), it is displayed on the display device 4 that a measurement is nowbeing taken (Step S111). FIG. 6B shows an example of such a display,causing the symbol “° C.” to blink. The start flag is then set to “1”(Step S112) and the program returns to Step S107.

If the start flag is “1” in Step S109, it is checked (as will beexplained in detail below) whether or not data that are sufficient for ameasurement have been collected (Step S113). If sufficient data have notbeen collected (NO in Step S113), the program returns to Step S107 torepeat the collection of data. If sufficient data have been collected(YES in Step S113), the result of measurement is displayed on thedisplay device 4, say, as shown in FIG. 6C and the buzzer 18 may becaused to beep twice to indicate that the result of measurement has beendisplayed (Step S114). Thereafter, power is automatically shut off (StepS115) after a wait period of a specified length of time (Step S115).

The portion of the program explained above from Step S107 to Step S113is shown more in detail in FIG. 7. After the display device 4 is causedto display that it is ready to take measurements, the values of T₁, q₁and dT₁/dt are measured three times (Step S107-1) and the calculation ofthe temperature at the target position is carried out for the first time(n=1) (Step S108-1). Since the start flag is still reset (“0”) at thismoment, the program proceeds to Step S110 and, as explained above, themeasurement-starting condition is checked. The condition may be, forexample, that the calculated temperature be within the range of 35-42°C. but this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

If the calculated temperature is not within such a specified range, orif the specified condition for starting measurement is not satisfied (NOin Step S110), the program proceeds to Step S113 (as shown in FIG. 5)and it is checked if data that are sufficient for a measurement havebeen collected. This judgment may be taken by examining whether or not aplurality of successively calculated temperature values are nearly thesame (say, to the second positions below the decimal point). Since thisis the first (n=1) calculation and there is no other result to compareto, it is concluded in Step S113 that sufficient data have not beencollected and the program returns to Step 107 to repeat the collectionof data. If the specified condition is satisfied in Step S110, thedisplay as shown in FIG. 6B is made (Step S111) and the start flag isset to “1” (Step S112) as explained with reference to FIG. 5 and T₁, q₁and dT₁/dt are measured (Step S107-2) to calculate the temperature forthe second time (Step S108-2). Since the start flag is set to “1”, theprogram proceeds to Step S113 to check whether sufficient data have beencollected. If not, the program returns to Step S107. If sufficient datahave been collected, the result of the measurement is displayed (StepS114).

The determination whether data sufficient for measurement have beencollected may be made by examining whether or not a plurality ofconsecutively calculated temperature values are, say, within 0.01° C. ofone another.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show another electronic thermometer 11 which may beconsidered a variation of the first embodiment of the invention,structured in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelopiped with oneend in a semi-circular form from which a probe 20 in the form of acircular column protrudes. A display device 4 comprising an LCD and apower switch 5 are disposed on the opposite surface.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the probe 20 has its upper and side surfacescovered with a thin cover layer 26, say, of SUS. A temperature sensor 7and a heat flux sensor 8 are disposed on the lower surface of the toppart 26 a of the cover layer 26. A circular disk-shaped insulatingmember 9 is disposed below the top part 26 a of the cover layer 26,sandwiching the temperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 with thetop part 26 a of the cover layer 26. A heater 10 may be disposed(according to the second embodiment of the invention) on the lowersurface of the insulating member 9. As shown in FIG. 9B, the temperaturesensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 are positioned on the top part 26 aof the cover layer 26 proximally to each other.

The thermometer 11 thus structured is particularly advantageous for useby an infant who may find it difficult to hold the probe steadily underan arm or under the tongue.

Next, the process of taking temperature measurement according to thesecond embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 10. As briefly explained above, FIG. 4 also shows a thermometer 21according to the second embodiment of the invention which is differentfrom the thermometer 1 according to the first embodiment of theinvention in that there is a heater 10 which is activated by a signalfrom the controller 12.

The purpose of the heater 10 in the thermometer 21 is to preheat thetemperature sensor 7 and the heat flow sensor 8 so as to preliminarilyreduce the initial difference between the temperature to be estimated atan internal target body position and those of the temperature sensor 7and the heat flux sensor 8 such that the time required for themeasurement can be reduced. The insulator layer 9 separating the heater10 from the temperature sensor 7 and the flux sensor 8 allows them to beplaced close together such that the probe 3 can be made compact and thetemperature change can be stabilized for more accurate measurement.

In FIG. 10, Steps S201-S205 are the same respectively as Steps S101-S105of FIG. 5 and hence will not be repetitiously explained. With thisthermometer 21, however, it is determined in Step S206 whether or not apreheating is required on the basis of the temperature measuredpreliminarily in Step 202. Such preheating may be deemed necessary ifthe measured temperature is below a specified level such as 30° C.

If it is decided that a preheating is necessary (YES in Step S206), theheater 10 is activated (Step S207) until the measured temperatureindicates that the preheating is no longer necessary (NO in Step S206),and then a “ready” display is made on the display device (Step S208).The processes from the end of Step S208 to Step S217 are the same asthose from Step S106 to Step S15 shown in FIG. 5 and hence will not berepetitiously explained. It is to be noted that the heating by theheater 10 is finished before the measurement is taken and the heater 10is not active during the measurement.

FIG. 11 is referenced next to explain the principle of temperaturemeasurement by a thermometer 31 according to a third embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

The third embodiment is characterized as using two insulating memberswith different thermal conductivity values, or to estimate thetemperature T_(b) at an internal target body position by measuringtemperatures T₁ and T₂ at different surface positions at a distance hfrom the target position respectively through an insulating layer withthermal conductivity λ₁ and λ₂. Thus, by solving the differentialequation of thermal conduction by keeping the second-order terms, asdone above, we obtain:T _(b) =T _(s1)+(h/λ _(b))q ₁+(h ²/2α₁)(dT ₁ /dt)T _(b) =T _(s2)+(h/λ _(b))q ₂+(h ²/2α₂)(dT ₂ /dt)where λ_(b) is the thermal conductivity of the body, T_(s1) and T_(s2)are respectively the temperature at the contact surface between the bodyand the first and second insulating member, q₁ and q₂ are respectivelythe heat flux through the first and second insulating member, and α₁ andα₂ are respectively the thermal diffusivity of the first and secondinsulating member. Since we also have:q ₁ =−λ ₁(dT ₁ /dx)=−λ₁(T ₁ −T _(s1))/Xq ₂ =−λ ₂(dT ₂ /dx)=−λ₂(T ₂ −T _(s2))/Xwhere X is the thickness of the insulating members, as shown in FIG. 11,we obtain simultaneous equations in the form of:T _(b) =T _(s1) +A(T _(s1) −T ₁)+B(dT ₁ /dt)T _(b) =T _(s2) +C(T _(s2) −T ₂)+D(dT ₁ /dt)  (3)If the two temperature sensors are disposed close to each other and bothinsulating members are in contact with the body surface, T_(s1)=T_(s2).Thus, by measuring T₁, T₂, dT₁/dt and dT₂/dt, it is possible to estimateT_(b). In summary, it is possible to estimate the temperature at aninternal position of a live body by measuring the temperatures and thetime rate of their changes at surface positions through insulatingmembers having different thermal conductivity values.

Instead of using two different insulating members as explained above,use may be made of two insulating members which may have the samethermal conductivity but are different in thickness.

FIG. 12 shows an external view of a thermometer 31 according to thethird embodiment of the invention. Since its external appearance is thesame as that of the thermometer according to the first embodiment, thesame symbols used in FIG. 2 are used for corresponding components andthey are not repetitiously explained with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 13shows its internal structure. Its probe 33 is identical to the probe 3shown in FIG. 3 except for the structure of the insulating member,having a first insulating layer 39 a and a second insulating layer 39 bwith different thermal conductivity values disposed on the inner surfaceof the cover 6. A first temperature sensor 37 a is on the inner surfaceof the first insulating layer 39 a and a second temperature sensor 37 bis on the inner surface of the second insulating layer 39 b. A heater 10may be disposed (according to a fourth embodiment of the invention) onthe inner surface of either of the insulating layers 39 a and 39 bopposite the first and second temperature sensors 37 a and 37 b,separated therefrom across the hollow interior 90 of the insulatinglayers 39 a and 39 b. Lead lines (not shown) connected to thetemperature sensors 37 a and 37 b may be extended through this hollowinterior 90. Thermometers according to the third embodiment isadvantageous in that they are less costly than the embodiments requiringthe use of a heat flux sensor.

FIG. 14 shows the internal circuit structure of the thermometer 31,which is similar to that shown by the block diagram of FIG. 4 exceptthat the first and second temperature sensors 37 a and 37 b take theplaces of the temperature sensor 7 and the heat flux sensor 8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 15 is referenced next to explain the process for measuring aninternal body temperature. In FIG. 15, Steps S301-S305 and the step ofshutting off the power (Step S315) are the same respectively as StepsS101-S105 and Step S115 of FIG. 5, and hence will not be repetitiouslyexplained. With this thermometer 31, however, the first or secondtemperature sensor 37 a or 37 b is used in Step 302 for preliminarilymeasuring the temperature and four pieces of data T₁, T₂, dT₁/dt anddT₂/dt are collected in Step S307.

FIG. 16 shows more in detail a portion of the flowchart of FIG. 15 fromStep S307 to Step S313. This is similar to the portion explained abovewith reference to FIG. 7 except that four kinds of data T₁, T₂, dT₁/dtand dT₂/dt are collected in Steps S307-1 and S307-2 and since these fourvariables are to be obtained, that the data must be collected four ormore times. As explained above, furthermore, the determination in StepS313 may be made by examining whether or not a plurality ofconsecutively calculated temperature values are, say, within 0.01° C. ofone another.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show another thermometer 301 which is a variation ofthe third embodiment, having a rectangular columnar probe 302 protrudingat one end of one of its main surfaces and a display device 4 comprisingan LCD and a power switch 5 disposed on the opposite surface. FIGS. 18Aand 18B show the interior structure of the probe 302, having its top andside surfaces covered with a thin material 326 comprising SUS. Thermallyinsulating members 39 a and 39 b having different conductivity valuesare disposed adjacent each other below the top part 326 a of theinsulating member 326. The side wall portions of the insulating member326 are indicated as 326 b. The temperature sensors 37 a and 37 b arerespectively disposed on the lower surface of the insulating members 39a and 39 b. A heater (not shown) may also be disposed on the lowersurface of either of the insulating members 39 a and 39 b (according tothe fourth embodiment of the invention). This variation of the thirdembodiment is convenient for use by an infant who may find it difficultto hold the probe steadily under an arm or under the tongue.

FIGS. 13 and 14 also show a thermometer 41 according to the fourthembodiment of the invention, which is different from the thirdembodiment in that a heater 10 is included, adapted to be driven by asignal transmitted from the driver 13. The advantage of the fourthembodiment is that the heater 10 preheats the temperature sensors 37 aand 37 b and the insulating members 39 a and 39 b such that the timerequired for the temperature measurement can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is referenced next to explain the process for measuring aninternal body temperature by means of the thermometer 41 according tothe fourth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 19, Steps S401-S405 andSteps S408-S416 are the same respectively as Steps S101-S105 and Steps106-115 of FIG. 5, hence will not be repetitiously explained. With thisthermometer 41, however, it is determined in Step S406 whether or not apreheating is required on the basis of the temperature measuredpreliminarily in Step 402. Such preheating may be deemed necessary ifthe measured temperature is below a specified level such as 30° C. If itis determined in Step S406 that a preheating step is required, theheater 10 is activated for preheating (Step S407) as done in Step S207with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 20 is referenced next to explain the principle of temperaturemeasurement by a thermometer 51 according to a fifth embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

The fifth embodiment is characterized as estimating the temperatureT_(b) at an internal target body position separated from a body surfaceby a distance of h by measuring the surface temperature T₃ detected by atemperature sensor in contact with the body surface and the specifiedtemperature T₄ of a heater which contacts the body surface through athermal insulator. If ρ is the density of the insulator, c is itsspecific heat, X is its thickness, λ is its thermal conductivity, λ_(b)is the thermal conductivity of the body, q₃ is the heat flux through theinsulator and q_(b) is the heat flux through the body, one obtains fromthe conservation law:ρcX(dT ₃ /dt)=q _(b) −q ₃ =−λ _(b)(dT ₃ /dx)+λ(dT ₄ /dx),ordT ₃ /dt=ω ₁(T _(b) −T ₃)−ω₂(T ₃ −T ₄),whereω₁=λ_(b) /ρcXh, andω₂ =λ/ρcX ².Thus, since T₄ is a known temperature, T_(b) can be estimated bymeasuring two or more values of dT₃/dt and T₃.

As shown in FIG. 21, the external view of the thermometer 51 is the sameas that of the thermometer 1 according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 2. The internal structure of its probe 53 is also similar to thatof the thermometer 1 shown in FIG. 3 except that a temperature sensor 7is disposed on the inner surface of the cover 6 and also that athermally insulating member 9 is disposed so as to sandwich thetemperature sensor 7 with the cover 6. The insulating member 9 iscylindrically formed with a hollow interior 90. A constant-temperatureheater 52 is disposed on the inner surface of the insulating member 9 ata position opposite to the temperature sensor 7. Lead lines (not shown)connected to the temperature sensor 7 and the heater 52 are extendedthrough this hollow interior 90.

As shown in FIG. 23, the interior circuit structure of the thermometer51 is similar to that of the thermometer 1 shown in FIG. 4 except aconstant-temperature heater 52 is provided to be driven by the driver 13according to a signal outputted from the controller 12.

Where there is a significant difference between the body temperature andthe environmental temperature, the medium through which heat flows fromthe internal target position in the body to the temperature sensor 7 isheated by the heater such that the temperature difference is reduced. Inthis manner, the temperature change of the probe 53 inclusive of thetemperature sensor 7 becomes stabilized. Thus, an accurate measurementbecomes possible and the time required for the measurement can bereduced. Another advantage of this embodiment is that the probe 53 is ofa simpler structure, including essentially only the temperature sensor 7and the constant-temperature heater 52 such that freedom of choice inpositioning the components is improved. The presence of the insulatingmember 9 between the temperature sensor 7 and the heater 52 serves tocreate a stable temperature gradient such that the temperature sensorcan be placed under a suitable temperature condition for themeasurement.

FIG. 24 is referenced next to explain the process for measuring aninternal body temperature by means of the thermometer 51 according tothe fourth embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 24, Steps S501-S505 andSteps S510-S518 are the same respectively as Steps S101-S105 and Steps107-115 of FIG. 5, hence will not be repetitiously explained. With thisthermometer 51, however, the heater 51 is switched on (Step S506) andtemperature is measured by the temperature sensor 7 (Step S507) if thetemperature measured in Step S502 is within a specified range. If thetemperature is not stable (NO in Step S508), the program returns to StepS506. If the temperature is stable (YES in Step S508), a display is madeto the effect that it is ready to take a measurement (Step S509). InStep S510, unlike in Step S107, two kinds of data T₁ and dT₁/dt arecollected, and the heater 52 is not necessarily switched off while thedata are collected. Since the purpose of the heater 52 is to remain at aconstant temperature level, it may be intermittently switched on andoff.

The portion of the flowchart of FIG. 24 from Step S510 to Step S517 isshown in FIG. 25 more in detail. The processes from Step S510-1 to StepS517 are the same as explained above with reference to FIG. 7 exceptthat two kinds of data T₁ and dT₁/dt are collected in the presentembodiment in Steps S510-1 and S510-2 and, since there are two variablesT₁ and dT₁/dt to be obtained, that data are collected at least twice. Asexplained above, furthermore, the determination in Step S516 may be madeby examining whether or not a plurality of consecutively calculatedtemperature values are, say, within 0.01° C. of one another.

FIGS. 26A and 26B show another thermometer 501 which is a variation ofthe fifth embodiment, having a rectangular columnar probe 502 protrudingat one end of one of its main surfaces and a display device 4 comprisingan LCD and a power switch 5 disposed on the opposite surface. FIGS. 27Aand 27B show the interior structure of the probe 502, having its top andside surfaces covered with a thin material 526 comprising SUS or thelike. A temperature sensor 7 is disposed below the top portion 526 a ofthe cover 526. The side wall portions of the insulating material 526 areindicated as 526 b. A thermally insulating member 59 is disposed belowthe top portion 526 a of the cover 526 so as to sandwich the temperaturesensor 7 with the top portion 526 a of the cover 526. Aconstant-temperature heater 52 is disposed in contact with theinsulating member 59. There is a hollow space 53 between the insulatingmember 59 and the bottom part of the cover 526. This variation of thefifth embodiment is convenient for use by an infant who may find itdifficult to hold the probe steadily under an arm or under the tongue.

With any of the electronic thermometers embodying this invention, thetemperature at an internal target body position is calculated by makingmeasurements on real time on the external surface of the body and byusing the equation of thermal conduction. Thus, the measurements can bemade accurately and quickly.

1. An electronic clinical thermometer comprising: a temperature sensor for measuring temperature; a heat flow sensor disposed proximally to said temperature sensor for measuring heat flow; a controller for controlling said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor to make measurements at a specified time interval; a memory for storing measured values of said temperature and said heat flow; and a calculator for calculating estimated temperature at a specified internal body position by using values measured by said temperature sensor and said heat flow sensor.
 2. The thermometer of claim 1 further comprising a thermally insulating member, said temperature sensor and said heat flow sensor being disposed on said insulating member.
 3. The thermometer of claim 2 further comprising a heater disposed on said insulating member.
 4. The thermometer of claim 2 further comprising a heater, said temperature sensor and said heat flow sensor together forming a probe, said probe containing said heater.
 5. The thermometer of claim 1 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor.
 6. The thermometer of claim 2 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor.
 7. The thermometer of claim 3 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor.
 8. The thermometer of claim 4 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor.
 9. The thermometer of claim 1 further comprising a probe which is bar-shaped and contains said temperature sensor and said heat flux sensor.
 10. An electronic clinical thermometer comprising: a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor each for measuring temperature; a first thermally insulating member disposed between said first temperature sensor and a target body to be measured; a second thermally insulating member disposed between said second temperature sensor and said target body, said first and second thermally insulating members having different thermal conductivity values; a controller for controlling said first and second temperature sensors to make measurements at specified time intervals; a memory for storing first measured values obtained by said first temperature sensor and second measured values obtained by said second temperature sensor; and a calculator for calculating estimated temperature at a specified internal body position from said first and second measured values.
 11. The thermometer of claim 10 further comprising a heater.
 12. The thermometer of claim 10 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said first and second temperature sensors.
 13. The thermometer of claim 11 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said first and second temperature sensors.
 14. An electronic clinical thermometer comprising: a constant-temperature heater for providing a specified temperature; a temperature sensor for measuring temperature; a controller for controlling said temperature sensor and said constant-temperature heater to make measurements at specified time intervals; a memory for storing said specified temperature and measured values obtained by said temperature sensor; and a calculator for calculating estimated temperature at a specified internal body position by using said specified temperature and said measured values.
 15. The thermometer of claim 14 further comprising a thermally insulating member disposed between said temperature sensor and said constant-temperature heater.
 16. The thermometer of claim 14 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor.
 17. The thermometer of claim 15 further comprising a probe which is planar and contains said temperature sensor. 